Placement tests and auditions are scheduled over an extended period of time so that you may take more than one. Placement tests are important if you intend to continue in any of these areas at any time over the next four years. They are designed to determine the right course level for you, so that your courses are challenging and engaging for you, but not too easy or too difficult based on your prior experience in the field. You are not expected to study or prepare for placement tests. All levels of ability are encouraged to participate. If you miss a session or have a conflict, please contact the department representative listed (by email). Information sessions are designed so that you can attend to learn more about a given department/program and their course offerings.
Scheduled Prior to Welcome Weekend:
Pre-Business/Finance Info Session
Tuesday, August 11
6:00 P.M.- 6:30 P.M.
Location: Zoom
Meet our pre-business adviser and learn about how to engage with our pre-business programs and related courses.
Biology Info Session
Thursday, August 13
2:30 P.M. - 4:00 P.M
Location: Zoom
Meet faculty from the Biology department and learn more about majoring in biology and research opportunities.
Physics Placement Interview
Thursday, August 13 & Tuesday, August 18
Prospective physics majors with significant high-school physics experience may place out of PHY 109 by interview. Successful students can then take PHY 110 in the spring without first taking PHY 109 in the fall. Interviews will last 30–40 minutes and will consist of qualitative multiple-choice questions on Newtonian mechanics (kinematics, forces, energy, momentum, rotational motion, etc.). These questions will focus on comprehension of important concepts rather than on detailed calculations or memorization; any necessary equations and formulas will be provided.
You can sign up for a Zoom interview in early August at http://bit.ly/40C1SnN, or an in-person interview on August 27 at https://bit.ly/3UuPGSd. If the available times do not work with your schedule, or if you have other questions, contact Prof. Michael Seifert (mseifer1@conncoll.edu).
Results: Will be emailed to you within 48 hours of your Zoom interview
Contact: Prof. Michael Seifert, mseifer1@conncoll.edu
Neuroscience Info Session
Friday, August 14
12:00 P.M. - 1:00 P.M.
Location: Zoom
Neuroscience is an interdisciplinary major that explores the neural basis of behavior through psychology, chemistry, philosophy, molecular biology, cellular biology and many other disciplines. Meet Prof. Mays Imad and learn about courses, research and other opportunities in Neuroscience.
STEM Major Info Session
Monday, August 17
1:00 P.M. - 2:00 P.M.
Location: Zoom
Are you considering a major in Biology, Botany, Chemistry, Computer Science, Environmental Studies, Mathematics, Neuroscience, Physics or Statistics and Data Science? Attend this session to learn more about how to explore your options and what courses you should take during your first semester and beyond.
Pre-Law Info Session
Wednesday, August 19
7:00 P.M. - 7:30 P.M.
Location: Zoom
Interested in applying to law school after graduation? Learn about how to become a strong applicant and meet our pre-law advising team.
Ancient Greek
Thursday, August 20 and Friday, August 21
Students with experience in Ancient Greek who plan to continue their studies at Conn are encouraged to sign up for a 10-minute online placement interview with Prof. Darryl Phillips on August 20 or 21 to discuss the appropriate course. Placement interviews will also take place at the Academic Fair.
Contact: Prof. Darryl Phillips, dphilli2@conncoll.edu
Available Online Now
French
Online placement test French Proficiency Test. Email your score out of 50 points total to Professor James Austin (jfaus@conncoll.edu), prior to Aug. 27.
Contact: Prof. James Austin, jfaus@conncoll.edu
German
Online placement test (lasting approximately 1 hour) and interview required of students with prior knowledge and/or study of German. Complete the online test prior to Aug. 26 at Find Out Your German Level by Taking Our Free Test You will need paper and pencil to write out answers to multi-part questions in the online test. Email your results to Professor Karolin Machtans (kmachtan@conncoll.edu). On Aug. 27, you will attend a short in-person interview (10 minutes).
Contact: Prof. Karolin Machtans, kmachtan@conncoll.edu
Hispanic Studies (Spanish)
All incoming first-year students who intend to take a Spanish course at any point during their 4 years at CC (including beginning, intermediate, advanced, native and heritage speakers) are required to fill out the “Interested in Taking Spanish” online form and take the online placement test prior to Welcome Weekend. Please note your score and come to a short interview with department faculty during Welcome Weekend.
Contact: Prof. Jessica Koehle, jkoehler@conncoll.edu
Italian
Students without any prior knowledge of Italian do not need to take a placement test and can register for any sections of ITL 101 in Fall ’26. If you register, please fill out this form. If you have studied Italian in high school or have prior knowledge, please complete the placement test, preferably before arriving on campus.
Online placement test for Italian
To begin, click on: https://www.akademijaoxford.com/en/italian-language-placement-test.php Scroll down to see the first page from the link. Click on “Next,” start the survey and then continue with it until you finish. Once you have completed the test, a new window will open and you will see your proficiency level: either A1, A2, B1, B2, C1 or C2, etc. Record your proficiency level and bring it to the short oral interview Aug. 28.
Contact: Prof. Paola Sica, psica@conncoll.
Latin
Students who have completed three or more years of Latin, including a class their junior or senior years, should sign up for LAT 201. All students are encouraged to sign up for a 10-minute online placement interview with Prof. Darryl Phillips on August 20 or 21 to discuss the appropriate course. Placement interviews will also take place at the Academic Fair.
Contact: Prof. Phillips: dphilli2@conncoll.edu
Scheduled During Welcome Weekend
Thursday, August 27
11:30 A.M. - 5:00 P.M. Listed in order of start times
Art (Studio)
11:30 P.M.. - 1:30 P.M.
Location: Academic Fair
Students should bring their real or virtual portfolio, if available, to help find the right class. Courses selected during this session will be added to the student's schedule before online registration opens.
Contact: Prof. Chris Barnard, cbarnard@conncoll.edu
French
11:30 A.M. - 1:00 P.M.
Location: Academic Fair
There will be an in-person placement test for students who did not take the online placement test. Faculty from the French and Francophone Department will also be able to discuss your placement during this time.
Results: Will be given to you at the placement test.
For students who have taken the SAT exam in French or have a 4 or 5 on the AP test, visit: https://www.conncoll.edu/academics/majors-departments-programs/departments/french/french-placement-exam/ for placement information.
Contact: Prof. James Austin, jfaus@conncoll.edu
Hebrew
11:30 A.M. - 1:00 P.M.
Location: Academic Fair
Placement Interview (lasting 5–10 minutes). During the interview we’ll discuss your background in Hebrew to determine the appropriate course level for you at Conn.
Results: Will be given to you at the interview.
Contact: Professor Liora Zeevi, lzeevi@conncoll.edu
Hispanic Studies (Spanish)
11:30 A.M. - 1:00 P.M.
Location: Humphrey's (Second Floor of the College-Center at Crozier Williams)
All incoming first-year students who intend to take a Spanish course at any point during their 4 years are required to fill out the “Interested in Taking Spanish” online form and take the online placement test. Please note your score and come to a short interview with department faculty in Humphrey's between 11:30am-1pm (no sign-up required).
Contact: Prof. Jessica Koehler jkoehler@conncoll.edu
Russian
11:30 A.M. - 1:00 P.M.
Location: Academic Fair
Informal interviews will be held at the Academic Fair at the Slavic Studies table.
Contact: Laura Little, llittle@conncoll.edu
Arabic Language
12:00 P.M. - 1:00 P.M.
Location: Classics, Arabic and Jewish Studies Table at the Academic Fair in the 1962 Room, College Center at Crozier-Williams Placement Interview (lasting 5-10 minutes). During the interview we'll discuss your background in Arabic to determine the appropriate course level for you at Conn.
Results: Will be given to you at the interview.
Contact: Prof. Hazza Abo Rabia, haborabi@conncoll.edu
German Oral Interview
1:00 P.M. - 2:00 P.M.
Location: Blaustein 315 (Prof. Machtans’ office)
There will be short in-person interviews(10 minutes) with faculty in German Studies. Email your test results to Professor Karolin Machtans, kmachtan@conncoll.edu, prior to Aug. 26.
Results: Will be emailed to you after the interviews
Contact: Prof. Karolin Machtans, kmachtan@conncoll.edu
Physics
1:00 P.M. - 5:00 P.M.
Prospective physics majors with significant high-school physics experience may place out of PHY 109 by interview. Successful students can then take PHY 110 in the spring without first taking PHY 109 in the fall. Interviews will last 30–40 minutes and will consist of qualitative multiple-choice questions on Newtonian mechanics (kinematics, forces, energy, momentum, rotational motion, etc.). These questions will focus on comprehension of important concepts rather than on detailed calculations or memorization; any necessary equations and formulas will be provided.
You can sign up for a Zoom interview in early August at http://bit.ly/40C1SnN, or an in-person interview on August 27 at https://bit.ly/3UuPGSd. If the available times do not work with your schedule, or if you have other questions, contact Prof. Michael Seifert (mseifer1@conncoll.edu).
Results: Will be emailed to you within 48 hours of your interview (Zoom interviews) or in the evening of August 27 (in-person.)
Contact: Prof. Michael Seifert, mseifer1@conncoll.edu
Dance
1:30 P.M. - 3:00 P.M.
Location: Myers Studio, 3rd floor, Cro
Introduction to the Dance Department: Joyful Class. Come ready to dance and find out what classes you can register for in your first semester at Conn. No experience necessary. Wear any comfortable clothing. Techniques offered may include Modern, Afro-Diasporic Dance, Ballet, Improvisation and more.
Contact: dance@conncoll.edu
Italian
1:30 P.M. - 3:00 P.M.
Location: Fanning 401
Please bring your proficiency results from the online placement test so that you can do a short oral interview.
Contact: Prof. Paola Sica, psica@conncoll.edu
Music
1:30 P.M.-4:30 P.M.
Locations: Will be posted at the information table in the lobby of Cummings Arts Center. Information about lessons, ensembles, music classes, instrument lockers, practice rooms, and loaner instruments will also be available at the information table.
Practice rooms will be available to warm up on a first-come, first-serve basis on the first floor of Cummings.
Individual consultations for private instrumental lessons, private vocal lessons (MUS M115/215), and ensembles (MUS E220) (5-10 minutes each). Please plan to perform a short piece in any style that demonstrates your background. Students at a beginning level should stop by to discuss options. Ensembles include CC Singers, Jazz Ensemble, Orchestra, and Wind Ensemble.
Results: Will be given to you immediately following the audition.
Contact: For general questions, please email the department chair, Professor Midge Thomas, metho@conncoll.edu. For questions specific to an ensemble, please direct your questions to the ensemble's director, as follows: CC Singers and Orchestra: Professor Shou Ping Liu, sliu4@conncoll.edu; Wind Ensemble and Jazz Ensemble: Professor Gary Buttery, gabut@conncoll.edu.
Pre-Health Information Session
2:00 P.M. - 2:30 P.M.
Location: Olin 014
Meet the pre-health professions advisors and learn all about what it means to be "pre-health" at Connecticut College. Be ready to ask questions!
Contact: Prof. Page Owen, tpowe@conncoll.edu
Computer Science
2:00 P.M. - 3:30 P.M.
Location: New London Hall 214
Placement interview. (A brief informal chat about your prior experiences in CS, if any. Students with little to no prior CS coursework should enroll for COM110.)
Results: Will be given to you at the interview.
Contact: Prof. Christine Chung, cchung@conncoll.edu
Mathematics & Statistics
3:00 P.M.- 4:30 P.M.
Location: Fanning Hall, Third Floor (Mathematics & Statistics Department)
Placement interviews (lasting 5 minutes) will take place on the third floor of Fanning Hall. It is strongly recommended for all students planning to take either a mathematics or statistics course, particularly those planning to take any course in the calculus sequence or introductory statistics course. (Students who had a placement interview during the Academic Fair do not need a second interview.)
Results: Will be given to you at the interview.
Contact: Prof. Christopher Hammond, cnham@conncoll.edu
Chinese
3:00 P.M. - 5:00 P.M.
Location In-Person Oral Interview: Room 203, Woodworth House (approximately 10 minutes)
Location Written Placement Exam: Third-floor lounge, Woodworth House (approximately 50 minutes)
Results: Emailed by Friday morning
Contact: Prof. Tek-wah King, tkin@conncoll.edu
Japanese
4:00 P.M. - 5:00 P.M.
Location for Written Placement Exam: 1st floor lounge, Woodworth House (approximately 30 minutes)
Location for Oral Interview: Room 101 Woodworth House (approximately 10 minutes)
Results: Will be emailed to you by Friday morning.
Contact: Prof. Hisae Kobayashi, hkob@conncoll.edu
Tuesday, September 1
Music
3:30 P.M.-5:30 P.M.
Locations: Will be posted in the lobby of Cummings Arts Center. Practice rooms will be available to warm up on a first-come, first-serve basis on the first floor of Cummings. Information about lessons, ensembles, music classes, instrument lockers, practice rooms, and loaner instruments will be available in Cummings 216 (Music Department Office).
Individual consultations for private instrumental and vocal lessons (MUS 115/215) and ensembles (MUS 220), for first-year students who missed the August 21 consultations and for returning students (5-10 minutes each). Please plan to perform a short piece in any style that demonstrates your background. Students at a beginning level should stop by to discuss options.
Results: Will be given to you immediately following the consultation.
Contact: Please email the department chair, Midge Thomas, metho@conncoll.edu.
4:15 P.M.-5:30 P.M.
Location: Fortune Recital Hall, Cummings Arts Center
Connecticut College Singers: Short & fun rehearsal for all interested choir members followed by placement consultations for first-year students who missed the August 27 consultations and for returning students (MUS E220B) (all voice parts). Please plan to perform a short piece in any style that demonstrates your background.
Results: Will be given to you immediately following the audition.
Contact: Professor Shou Ping Liu, sliu4@conncoll.edu.
7:30 P.M.-9:15 P.M.
Location: Evans Hall, Cummings Arts Center
Orchestra placement consultations and informative welcome gathering for first-year students who missed the August 27 consultations and for returning students (MUS E220F). Please plan to perform a short piece in any style that demonstrates your background.
Results: Will be given to you immediately following the consultation.
Contact: Professor Shou Ping Liu, sliu4@conncoll.edu.
Wednesday, September 2
Music
7:00 P.M.-8:15 P.M
Location: Evans Hall, Cummings Arts Center
Wind Ensemble placement consultations for first-year students who missed the August 27 auditions and for returning students (MUS E220C) (wind instruments -- 5-10 minutes each). Please plan to perform a short piece in any style that demonstrates your background.
Results: Will be given to you immediately following the audition.
Contact: Professor Gary Buttery, gabut@conncoll.edu.
8:30 P.M.-9:45 P.M.
Location: Evans Hall, Cummings Arts Center
Jazz Ensemble placement consultations for first-year students who missed the August 27 auditions and for returning students (MUS E220D) (wind instruments, rhythm section instruments, and voice -- 5-10 minutes each). Please plan to perform a short piece that demonstrates your background.
Results: Will be given to you immediately following the audition.
Contact: Professor Gary Buttery, gabut@conncoll.edu.